Due to commitments the next day, I did not open the observatory Wednesday night, 18 September 2024. Thursday night, 19 September, I attended the "Math & Science Night" at Mountain Vista School in Oracle. It was cool seeing the science activities that the students were doing. I then attended an event at Oracle State Park to meet the new Artist-in-Residence. She is a musician and songwriter. It will be exciting to hear what songs she writes following our night of stargazing at the Park next week. After being clear during the day on Friday, 20 September, the wind came up and some clouds moved in.

Open: Saturday, 21 September 2024, 1753 MST Temperature: 90°F

Session: 2011 Conditions: Clear

Equipment:
12" f/8 LX600 w/StarLock
2" 24mm UWA eyepiece
Focal reducer
2" 9mm 100° eyepiece

Camera:
iPhone 15 Pro Max
D850 DSLR

1800 MST: LX600 ON, StarLock OFF, High Precision OFF.

Viewed Venus, 102X.

1812 MST: Relaxed on the observatory patio bench while waiting for sunset.

I recorded a short video for the DarkSky International "Under One Sky" Conference.

1824 MST: Sunset.

1833 MST: Back in the observatory. Slewed to the first Barnard Object to be imaged this session. Mounted the D850 DSLR at prime focus + focal reducer.

1837 MST: Back to the bench to watch the stars come out.

1845 MST: Took this selfie using the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

1921 MST: Back at the 12" telescope, I focused the telescope on the star Antares and locked the primary mirror.

1927 MST: High Precision ON.

Slewed to the first Barnard Object.

1930 MST: StarLock ON.

Imaged the following Barnard Objects (dark nebulae), StarLock autoguided, 30 seconds, ISO 6400.

2011 MST: StarLock OFF.

Viewed Saturn, 102X.

I then did some work with a product for an upcoming review.

Viewed Saturn, 102X and 271X. Then viewed Neptune, 102X and 271X.

2050 MST: The eastern sky was brightening from the rising waning gibbous Moon.

2052 MST: LX600 OFF.

Close: Saturday, 21 September 2024, 2100 MST Temperature: 64°F

Session Length: 3h 07m Conditions: Clear

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